When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the LORD’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told. [Joshua 5.13-15]
Based on the very next verses, it would seem that the "commander of the LORD's army" was likely God Himself manifest as commander of His own army because Joshua 6.2 says, "the LORD said to Joshua..."
Having established this, is it not interesting that the commander of the LORD's army was neither "friend" nor "foe" to Joshua and Israel?
What is more interesting is what Joshua did upon hearing the commander's reply:
At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” [Joshua 5.14b]
Joshua quickly realized he was not encountering a casual acquaintance but the Covenant God of the universe. I chose the adjective "Covenant" because it makes God indeed "neutral" as far as "friend or foe" goes, but explicitly pro-covenant in His dealings with people. This makes God completely "neutral" to all mankind, but reveals His exclusive preference toward those who obey His Covenant terms.
God was not interested in the color of their skin or their dialect. Regarding Joshua and the people with him, God was interested only in their obedience to His Covenant. Any other representation of God would have made Him less than God.
God's Covenant is His Word. Jesus is the Word of God. A person's religious affiliation, denomination, or preferences mean nothing to God's Kingdom. Jesus said it like this:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14.6]
Of further interest is the description of Jesus in the Revelation of John:
Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. [Revelation 19.11-16]
It sounds to me like Joshua encountered this same commander! And, like Joshua, when we truly encounter the commander of the LORD's army, we too will fall at His feet in worship. We will then understand that the only qualification He seeks is Covenant relationship.
The Covenant mentioned here is demonstrated in those who repent, turning away from all other gods and believe treating all others as they wish themselves to be treated (love and forgiveness) (the first three and the last six of the Ten Commandments).
It is not ironic that Jesus (the Sabbath 4th Commandment) taught Covenant relationship through repentance and faith:
“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” [Mark 1.15]
It is also not ironic that Jesus detailed what Covenant relationship specifically looks like:
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]
Giving up our own way is repentance (turning away) from all other gods so that the LORD God might be our only God. Taking up our cross is so believing the Good News of Jesus that loving and forgiving others becomes our own cross to bear. Following Jesus, the Covenant Sabbath Rest Commander of the LORD's army, is all that matters. And, that is precisely what Joshua did! He was leading the most feared people in the world at that moment and yet he fell to his face in full Covenant submission to Jesus.
Wow.
Father, may we be as aware of Jesus as Commander of the LORD's army as Joshua. May we understand the covenant significance (foreshadowed by the Ten Commandments) of giving up our own way (no other god but You), taking up our cross (treating (forgiving) others as we wish to be treated), and following Jesus (entering the Sabbath Rest)! So be it.
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